Contamination injury procedure

Occupational exposure to blood or body fluids

Contamination injuries including needlestick, bites, scratches, cuts, splash into eyes, mouth or into cuts and abrasions.

Contamination injury first aid

• Encourage the wound to bleed.
• Wash the contaminated area.
• Do not suck the wound.
• Dry and cover with a waterproof dressing.

Splash injury first aid

• Irrigate eyes, mouth, affected area with water.
• If contact lenses are worn rinse or irrigate with water remove lenses and irrigate again.

Procedure

• Report incident to immediate manager.
• Contact the 24-hour hotline on 0330 6600365 for a risk assessment.
• Visit accident and emergency immediately for advice and treatment if risk assessment determines this is necessary.
• If follow-up treatment, support is required manager to refer staff member to occupational heath through the trust’s occupational health referral system, OHIO.
• Report the incident via the trust electronic reporting system (IR1).

Page last reviewed: September 06, 2024
Next review due: September 06, 2025